I am considering self defense training, and I wonder what kind of martial arts are generally desirable.
I have gotten a strong recommendation for karate.
What do you guys think?
Full Version: Any martial arts people out there?
Ok, sorry for the late follow up on this. I havn't been on the msg board in awhile.
I have been training in Shotokan Karate for the last, eh, almost 3 years. I'm going for my black-belt in about 6 months.
Anyway, I didn't know much about martial arts when I started. In the big-picture, I still don't know all that much. However, I do know alot more than I used to. There are lot of web cites that can give you a basic run-down of the different styles. There are two main camps, internal (soft) styles, and external (hard) styles. Tai Chi is an exmaple of a 'soft' style. Shotokan karate is an example of a 'hard' style. Chinese styles tend to be more 'art'. Japanese styles tend to be more 'martial'. In some styles you wont break a sweat during training. In others you'll be doing some serious cardio work outs. They all have something worth while to teach, so the best bet is to find something that fits your persoanlity and something you feel comfortbale doing. Any good bookstore will have a copy of "Complete Idiots Guide to Martial Arts". I'd strongly suggest taking a look at it. It has a good run-down of all the basic styles (thi chi, kung fu, karate, kick-boxing, tea kwon doe, etc), and what can be expected from each style.
here's a few good web cites.
http://www.24fightingchickens.com/shotokan/index.html
http://martialarts.about.com/library/weekl...s11_martialarts
good luck, and best training!
-chr|st0pher
I have been training in Shotokan Karate for the last, eh, almost 3 years. I'm going for my black-belt in about 6 months.
Anyway, I didn't know much about martial arts when I started. In the big-picture, I still don't know all that much. However, I do know alot more than I used to. There are lot of web cites that can give you a basic run-down of the different styles. There are two main camps, internal (soft) styles, and external (hard) styles. Tai Chi is an exmaple of a 'soft' style. Shotokan karate is an example of a 'hard' style. Chinese styles tend to be more 'art'. Japanese styles tend to be more 'martial'. In some styles you wont break a sweat during training. In others you'll be doing some serious cardio work outs. They all have something worth while to teach, so the best bet is to find something that fits your persoanlity and something you feel comfortbale doing. Any good bookstore will have a copy of "Complete Idiots Guide to Martial Arts". I'd strongly suggest taking a look at it. It has a good run-down of all the basic styles (thi chi, kung fu, karate, kick-boxing, tea kwon doe, etc), and what can be expected from each style.
here's a few good web cites.
http://www.24fightingchickens.com/shotokan/index.html
http://martialarts.about.com/library/weekl...s11_martialarts
good luck, and best training!
-chr|st0pher
I was flipping through the channels tonight and I caught this show on the Discovery Channel "Xtreme Martial Arts" XMA Discovery Channel Xtreme Martial Arts
Anyway this guy, Mat Mullins 5 time World Karate Champion caught my eye. Wow! Not only is he so talented but way hot too! He's got a web site Matt Mullins. Check out his photo gallery Matt Mullins Photo Gallery and you'll see what I mean!
Also, check out the XMA show on the discovery channel. Its amazing....
Anyway this guy, Mat Mullins 5 time World Karate Champion caught my eye. Wow! Not only is he so talented but way hot too! He's got a web site Matt Mullins. Check out his photo gallery Matt Mullins Photo Gallery and you'll see what I mean!
Also, check out the XMA show on the discovery channel. Its amazing....
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